Published

6 Characters Who Should Get Their Own Spin-Offs

We’ve had disastrous spin-offs in the form of shows like Joey and That 80’s Show, but also very successful and well-written spin-offs like Angel and Melrose Place. Here are a couple of spin-off ideas that have potential to be in the latter category:

Mercedes Jones (Glee)

I’ve failed to keep up with Glee ever since the third season. I’m not sure if Glee was ever really good, or if I just simply reached my breaking point with the third season. In any case, there were talks about a Glee spin-off centering on Rachel and Kurt as they try to make it in the Big Apple as early as season 2. My main argument is that if anyone on Glee were to get a spin-off, it should be vocal powerhouse Amber Riley who played New Directions diva Mercedes Jones.

But none of that nonsense about tater tots. (Seriously, Mercedes got a whole episode dedicated to her love affair with tater tots. And it was awful.) The show would be what NBC’s Smash wishes it could be. Set in Los Angeles, it would center on Mercedes trying to make a career for herself in the entertainment industry, while facing all kinds of obstacles, rivalries, new friendships, and various romantic possibilities.

You need someone who can keep up vocally and would have a realistic shot at a lucrative singing career. There is no better candidate than Amber Riley.

Mulan and Aurora (Once Upon A Time)

Forget the rumored Mad Hatter spin-off of Once Upon A Time. If anyone deserves a spin-off of their own, it’s these two.

We met Aurora (Sarah Bolger) and Mulan (Jamie Chung) in the first episode of season 2, and while Mulan was more or less a prop for some of the other characters, she made a memorable first impression and showed a lot of potential throughout the course of the first half of season 2 that the writers never tapped into. Mulan is one of the fiercest women to come out of the Disney franchise, and one of the few women of color.

As for the OUAT version of Aurora, the pretentious yet self-sacrificing princess kicks ass in her own right. Mulan and Aurora’s partnership makes for a good balance, and there is a lot of storytelling potential to be had with these two friends (and potential lovers). Throw in some Prince Phillip (Julian Morris), a bit of a damsel-in-distress at the moment, and it’d make for an excellent spin-off full of action, beautiful costumes, and plenty of female bonding.

Lee and Clementine (Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead)

If you played The Walking Dead game, at all, then you had to have fallen in love with main characters Lee Everett (Dave Fennoy) and 8-year old Clementine (Melissa Hutchison). Without getting into spoilers, the main arc involves a handcuffed Lee Everett, who’s just been convicted of a serious crime, sitting in the back of a police car when the zombie apocalypse finally manifests itself. From there, he meets Clementine, a young African-American girl whose parents had left for Savannah right before the zombie apocalypse hit, and becomes her guardian and caretaker.

The relationship between these two is the heart of the game, really, and it’s hard not to become emotionally invested – especially with the incredible voice-over work. A TV adaptation of the game, as a prequel to the show on AMC, would be amazing. Plus, the two main stars would be people of color. That’s something I can definitely get on board with.

Bonnie Bennett (The Vampire Diaries)

The CW attempted to make a show about witches with the failed adaptation of another one of L.J. Smith’s books – The Secret Circle. But who better to headline a show about witches, and actually make it work, than established character Bonnie Bennett (Kat Graham) of The Vampire Diaries. The creators of the show are already gearing up for a spin-off called The Originals, starring Joseph Morgan who plays centuries old vampire Klaus Mikaelson.

Another vampire show? Been there. Done that. I don’t think it’ll be a whole lot different from The Vampire Diaries.

On the other hand, a spin-off about Bonnie and centering on witches has a lot of potential to be the next Charmed. Bonnie doesn’t get enough screentime on the show she’s currently on, and is constantly bogged down by never-ending vampire drama and Damon/Elena/Stefan squabbles. My suggestion: give her a show where she can truly shine, and that brings witches to the forefront.

Cary Agos (The Good Wife)

Recently, Cary (Matt Czuchry) attempted to start his own firm – after being offered partnership status at Lockhart & Gardner before suddenly getting the rug pulled out from under him. Though he was ultimately thwarted by Kalinda, the storyline has a lot of potential. At one point, Cary suggested that he and Alicia start their own firm together and call it Florrick & Agos. Unfortunately, the show doesn’t seem to be headed in that direction at the moment, since Alicia made partner.

So it would be interesting to see Cary start his own firm in a show that isn’t bogged down by the political storylines involving Eli Gold or the incessant Peter/Alicia/Will love triangle. Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) and Geneva Pine (Renee Goldsberry) as series regulars would be added bonuses.

Ethel (Shameless)

After being removed from a polygamist colony, Ethel (Madison Davenport) became Kev and Veronica’s foster child in season 1. Though she came to care for Kev and Veronica a great deal, Ethel ended up running away in season 2 (shortly after her sister-wives showed up) with her son, a neighborhood boy her age named Malik, and Malik’s daughter.

Ethel was a well-written and very sympathetic character, so I would definitely watch a show dedicated to her and Malik’s adventures post-running away. Either that, or she really just needs to make another appearance on Shameless.

Which characters do you think should get their own spin-off? Comment below!